The correct sequence is to run 'show version' followed by 'request system software validate /var/tmp/junos-new.tgz'. This order is essential because 'show version' first confirms the current Junos OS release running on the Virtual Chassis, establishing the baseline before any upgrade. The 'request system software validate' command then performs a cryptographic checksum and package integrity check on the downloaded image without installing it, directly addressing the pre-upgrade checks for Junos OS by verifying the image is uncorrupted. On the JNCIA-Junos exam, this task tests your understanding of mandatory pre-upgrade validation steps, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly use 'request system software add' first, which would attempt installation without validation. Remember the memory tip: "Check before you load" — always run 'show version' to know where you are, then validate the file before committing to the upgrade.
JNCIA-JUNOS Operational Monitoring and Maintenance Practice Question
This JNCIA-JUNOS practice question tests your understanding of operational monitoring and maintenance. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
You are a junior network engineer tasked with upgrading the Junos OS on a pair of EX3400 switches that are in a Virtual Chassis. You have downloaded the new software image to the primary switch. Before performing the upgrade, you must verify the image's integrity and check the current version. Which sequence of commands should you use?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Run 'show version' and then 'request system software validate /var/tmp/junos-new.tgz'.
Option C is correct because 'show version' displays the current Junos OS version running on the switch, which is necessary to confirm the starting point before an upgrade. Then 'request system software validate /var/tmp/junos-new.tgz' performs a checksum verification and package integrity check on the image file without installing it, ensuring the image is not corrupted. This sequence directly addresses the two tasks: verifying the image's integrity and checking the current version.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Run 'show system uptime' and then 'request system software add /var/tmp/junos-new.tgz'.
Why it's wrong here
Skips validation; uptime is irrelevant.
✗
Run 'show system software' and then 'request system software add validate'.
Why it's wrong here
'show system software' is not a valid command.
✓
Run 'show version' and then 'request system software validate /var/tmp/junos-new.tgz'.
Why this is correct
Validates image integrity and shows current version.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Run 'show configuration system software' and then 'file checksum sha256 /var/tmp/junos-new.tgz'.
Why it's wrong here
Configuration command does not show version; checksum is not required.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'show system software' (a non-existent command) with 'show version', or think that 'file checksum sha256' alone is sufficient for integrity verification, missing the fact that Junos requires the full 'request system software validate' command to perform a comprehensive package check before installation.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
'show system software' is not a valid command.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'request system software validate' command not only performs a SHA-256 checksum verification but also inspects the package metadata, dependency checks, and compatibility with the current hardware and Junos version, preventing a failed upgrade from a mismatched or corrupted image. In a Virtual Chassis environment, the primary switch must have the image validated before the upgrade, as the 'request system software add' command with the 'validate' option (or separate validate step) ensures the image is consistent across all member switches. A real-world scenario where this matters is when an image is partially downloaded due to network interruption; validation catches this before the upgrade process begins, avoiding a split-brain or non-functional VC.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the JNCIA-JUNOS exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Operational Monitoring and Maintenance — This question tests Operational Monitoring and Maintenance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Run 'show version' and then 'request system software validate /var/tmp/junos-new.tgz'. — Option C is correct because 'show version' displays the current Junos OS version running on the switch, which is necessary to confirm the starting point before an upgrade. Then 'request system software validate /var/tmp/junos-new.tgz' performs a checksum verification and package integrity check on the image file without installing it, ensuring the image is not corrupted. This sequence directly addresses the two tasks: verifying the image's integrity and checking the current version.
What should I do if I get this JNCIA-JUNOS question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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